Cat-o-nine-tails definitions

kăt'ə-nīn'tālz'
A whip consisting of nine knotted cords fastened to a handle, used in flogging.
noun
8
0
A whip made of nine knotted cords attached to a handle, formerly used for flogging.
noun
7
0
(nautical) A whip having nine, often knotted, whipcords, formerly used for flogging as naval punishment. [from late 17th c.]
noun
0
0
A similarly constructed leather nine-tail whip, as used in British penal colonies and certain armies.
noun
0
0

Origin of cat-o-nine-tails

Cat + of + nine + tails, attested since 1695.